OceanWise Learning & Conservation

Our Story

Founded in 2011 by a collective of Queensland-based marine biologists, OceanWise was created to bridge the gap between peer-reviewed science and everyday ocean lovers. We believe that when people experience marine ecosystems first-hand, conservation becomes personal—and powerful.

From humble beachside workshops, we have evolved into a registered training organisation delivering AQF-aligned courses, corporate sustainability programs, and citizen-science expeditions across the Great Barrier Reef and beyond.

Our Mission

To cultivate ocean stewardship by educating, inspiring, and activating communities through immersive learning and data-driven conservation projects.

Partnered with James Cook University & CSIRO Oceans for collaborative research.
Certified Advanced EcoTourism operator—EcoTourism Australia.
Contributors to the Australian Curriculum’s marine science resources.

Marine educator guiding students underwater during a dive class

Our Programs

Students exploring a portable touch-tank in the classroom

School Incursions

Curriculum-mapped workshops for Years 3-12 with hands-on marine artefacts, VR dives, and live intertidal species.

View Syllabus

Topics include coral biology, food webs, and climate resilience. All sessions align with ACARA Science Understandings.

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Guided Reef Tours

Half-day or full-day snorkel adventures led by certified marine biologists. Equipment, safety briefings, and eco-briefing included.

Tour Options

Wave Break Island – Beginner-friendly
Cook Island – Turtles & rays hotspot
Custom charters for schools & groups

Interactive 3D reef model on a laptop screen

Online Learning Hub

Self-paced modules featuring 3D reef models, quizzes, and downloadable educator packs. Accessible on any device.

Module Preview

Coral bleaching simulation, fish ID flashcards, and gamified assessment tasks.

Corporate team conducting a beach cleanup

Corporate Training

Engaging workshops on marine sustainability, ESG reporting, and team-building beach clean-ups tailored to your CSR targets.

Volunteer divers conducting a reef check survey

Volunteer Programs

Monthly citizen-science dives, mangrove restoration days, and Reef Check certifications for ocean advocates.

Upcoming Projects

Seagrass Watch, eDNA sampling, and coral nursery maintenance.

Tech & Methods

Submersible ROVs

Our fleet of remotely operated vehicles records 4K habitat footage while eliminating the need for multiple divers, reducing physical disturbance to coral formations.

eDNA Sampling

Environmental DNA allows us to identify species presence from mere water samples, offering a non-invasive snapshot of biodiversity trends across seasons.

Solar-powered research vessel on the Gold Coast

Solar-Powered Vessels

Our hybrid catamarans run on an 80% solar-electric blend, cutting emissions while gliding silently over sensitive habitats—no diesel fumes, no reef rattle.

AR Coral Lab

Using augmented-reality sandboxes, students sculpt virtual reefs then test resilience against simulated storms, learning adaptive management in real-time.

Sustainability Practices

Single-use plastic–free operations
Reef-safe sunscreen provided to guests
Annual carbon audits with Climate Active

Our Impact

42 km²

Reef Area Monitored

18 tonnes

Marine Debris Removed

27

Peer-Reviewed Papers

5

Restoration Sites

OceanWise coral nursery at Green Island — Green Island Coral Nursery – 2,300 fragments propagated since 2020.

Citizen scientists measuring seagrass growth — Gold Coast Seagrass Watch – community-led data collection.

All data verified annually by Reef Check Australia.

What People Are Saying

“OceanWise turned abstract marine science into an unforgettable adventure—our students are still buzzing about the touch-tank!”

Lucy McKinnon, Year 10 Science Teacher

“The reef cleanup aligned perfectly with our ESG goals—team morale soared once we saw the debris tally.”

Mark Reyes, Sustainability Manager at WaveTech

“Collecting eDNA samples made me feel part of real science—truly empowering!”

Ayesha Patel, Volunteer Diver

“Our Year 6 camp was the best yet—the VR dive convinced three students to aim for marine biology careers.”

Luke Carson, Camp Coordinator

“I’ve done reef tours worldwide—OceanWise’s solar-electric catamaran was by far the quietest and most eco-friendly.”

Yumi Tanaka, Eco-Tourist

“Thanks to OceanWise, our start-up’s sustainability retreat produced a full CSR roadmap in just two days.”

Dylan Nguyen, Founder at BlueByte Labs

“The online modules kept my kids entertained for hours—they can now name ten coral species!”

Sarah O'Connell, Homeschool Parent

Meet the Team

Dr Emma Low

Founder & Lead Marine Biologist

TEDx speaker and coral-ecology PhD with 15 years of restoration fieldwork across the Indo-Pacific.

Kai Thompson

Education Program Director

Former high-school teacher crafting engaging, curriculum-aligned learning experiences since 2014.

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Sofia Garcia

Operations & Sustainability Manager

Certified EcoTourism auditor ensuring our programs stay carbon-neutral and plastic-free.

Upcoming Events

12 Aug 2024

Winter Reef Snorkel – Half Day

Wave Break Island

6 spots left

05 Sep 2024

Citizen Science Dive: Coral Watch

Cook Island Aquatic Reserve

3 spots left

18 Oct 2024

Marine Plastics Workshop (Corporate)

OceanWise HQ

12 seats

Date	Event	Location	Availability
12 Aug 2024	Winter Reef Snorkel – Half Day	Wave Break Island	6 spots left
05 Sep 2024	Citizen Science Dive: Coral Watch	Cook Island Aquatic Reserve	3 spots left
18 Oct 2024	Marine Plastics Workshop (Corporate)	OceanWise HQ	12 seats

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